GPS IIF-12 satellite was successfully launched on February 5

Feb.12,2016

Photograph provided by: United Launch Alliance

GPS IIF-12, the twelfth and final satellite in the GPS IIF series, was launched on an Atlas V rocket at 8:38 on February 5 local time (22:38 JST) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the United States. The satellite was successfully put into its planned orbit, a circular orbit (medium earth orbit [MEO]) of approximately 20,400 kilometers with an orbital inclination of 55 degrees.

Photograph provided by: United Launch Alliance

There are currently 30 GPS satellites under operation, of which 11 are GPS IIF satellites. The launched GPS IIF-12 will be the thirty-first satellite to be operated after the completion of testing in its orbit. The next GPS satellite launch will be the first in the next-generation GPS III series.